Method and apparatus for binding redundancy versions with a system frame number and subframe numbers

ABSTRACT

A method and apparatus for binding Redundancy Versions (RVs) with a System Frame Number (SFN) and subframe numbers are disclosed. The method includes: choosing any five (5) continuous subframes within a transmission window of a System Information (SI-x) message according to the subframe numbers of an SFN; and binding the SFN and subframe numbers of the five (5) continuous subframes with RVs of the SI-x message. Because RVs are bound with an SFN and subframe numbers, when a transmission window of an SI-x message is longer than or equal to 5 ms, system frames and subframes are bound with RVs of the SI-x message so that the RV retransmission of the SI-x message is guaranteed.

CROSS-REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATIONS

This application is a continuation of International Application No.PCT/CN2009/073206, filed on Aug. 12, 2009, which claims priority toChinese Patent Application No. 200810161802.5, filed on Sep. 22, 2008,both of which are hereby incorporated by reference in their entireties.

FIELD OF THE INVENTION

The present invention relates to communications, and in particular, to amethod and apparatus for binding redundancy versions with a system framenumber and subframe numbers.

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION

In a conventional Downlink Control Indicator (DCI) format 1C is used toschedule Paging Channel (PCH), Random Access Channel (RACH) responsesmessage and Broadcast Channel (BCCH) message (SIB1 and SI-x, x=2, . . ., 8). Conventionally, the following definitions are given:

Redundancy Version (RV): 0 bit long, i.e. implicit indication.

The RVs of System Information Block 1 (SIB1) are bound with a SystemFrame Number (SFN) and subframe numbers, and different RVs are used inan 80 ms. The RV sequence of SIB1 is RV0, RV2, RV3, and RV1. The RVs ofSystem Information x (SI-x) are bound with an SFN and subframe numbersalso.

In conventional systems, the duration of each system frame is 10 ms andsystem frames are numbered from 0. One system frame contains 10subframes, numbered from 0 to 9. The relation in time sequence of systemframes and subframes is shown in FIG. 1.

Within an 80-ms cycle, there are 8 system frames, in which SIB1 istransmitted on subframe numbered 5 of each system frame having an evenSFN. The RV sequence of SIB1 is 0, 2, 3, 1. SI-x is transmitted within aspecified transmission window, the length of which may be {1, 2, 5, 10,20, 40} ms. Each SI-x message is transmitted with a certain number ofretransmissions within the transmission window. Each retransmission isdone on one subframe and the transmission window of every SI-x messageis close to each other but cannot overlap. The transmission window ofSI-x can overlap with the transmission window of SIB1 but an SI-xmessage cannot be transmitted on a subframe where SIB1 is transmitted.

In conventional systems, there is no solution for binding the RVs ofSI-x with an SFN and subframe numbers and as a result, the performanceof SI-x message retransmissions cannot be guaranteed. The presentinvention improves upon conventional systems as described below.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

Aspects of the present invention provide a method and apparatus forbinding Redundancy Versions (RVs) with a System Frame Number (SFN) andsubframe numbers so as to guarantee the retransmission of SystemInformation (SI-x) messages.

According to an aspect of the present invention, a method for bindingRVs with an SFN and subframe numbers is provided, which may comprise:choosing 5 continuous subframes within a transmission window of an SI-xmessage according to subframe numbers of an SFN; and binding the SFN andsubframe numbers of the 5 continuous subframes with RVs of the SI-xmessage.

According to another aspect of the present invention, an apparatus forbinding RVs with an SFN and subframe numbers is provided, which mayinclude: a subframe choosing unit, configured to choose 5 continuoussubframes within a transmission window of an SI-x message according tosubframe numbers of an SFN; and a binding unit, configured to bind theSFN and subframe numbers of the 5 continuous subframes with RVs of theSI-x message.

According to another aspect of the present invention, a method forbinding RVs with an SFN and subframe numbers is provided, which maycomprise: choosing five continuous subframes, beginning with a subframenumbered N, within a transmission window of a system information (SI-x)message, wherein when the SFN for the subframe numbered N is odd, N isan integer from 0 to 9; or when the SFN for the subframe numbered N iseven, N is any one of 0, 6, 7, 8 and 9; setting an RV sequence of fourtime-sequenced subframes in the five continuous subframes as S_(RV)(0),S_(RV)(1), S_(RV)(2), S_(RV)(3); and setting an RV of a remainingsubframe in the five continuous subframes as any one of S_(RV)(0),S_(RV)(1), S_(RV)(2) and S_(RV)(3)

Compared with conventional systems, aspects of the present inventionprovide the following benefit:

Because RVs are bound with an SFN and subframe numbers, when thetransmission window of SI-x message is longer than or equal to 5 ms,system frames and subframes are bound with RVs of the SI-x message sothat the RV retransmission of the SI-x message is guaranteed.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

FIG. 1 shows the time sequence of conventional system frames andsubframes;

FIG. 2 shows a flowchart of a method for binding RVs with an SFN andsubframe numbers according to an embodiment of the present invention;

FIG. 3 shows a flowchart of a method for binding RVs with an SFN andsubframe numbers according to another embodiment of the presentinvention;

FIG. 4 shows a flowchart of a method for binding RVs with an SFN andsubframe numbers according to still another embodiment of the presentinvention;

FIG. 5 shows an exemplary of RV sequence of subframes in a method forbinding RVs with an SFN and subframe numbers according to an embodimentof the present invention;

FIG. 6 shows a simplified structure of an apparatus for binding RVs withan SFN and subframe numbers according to an embodiment of the presentinvention; and

FIG. 7 shows a simplified structure of an apparatus for binding RVs withan SFN and subframe numbers according to another embodiment of thepresent invention.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION

The present invention is described in detail with reference to theaccompanying drawings and specific embodiments hereunder.

FIG. 2 shows a method for binding RVs with an SFN and subframe numbersaccording to an embodiment of the present invention. The method includesthe following steps:

Step s201: Any 5 continuous subframes are chosen according to subframenumbers of an SFN.

In this step, the choice is made within a transmission window of an SI-xmessage.

Step s202: RVs of the SI-x message is bound with the SFN and subframenumbers of the 5 continuous subframes.

In this step, RVs of the SI-x message are set for the 5 continuoussubframes, and thus the RVs of the SI-x message are bound with the SFNand subframe numbers.

With the method provided according to the above embodiment, the RVs arebound with the SFN and subframe numbers. When a transmission window ofan SI-x message is longer than or equal to 5 subframes, the performanceof RV retransmission of the SI-x message is assured.

The present invention will be explained in detail with specificapplication scenarios.

Another embodiment of the present invention provides a method forbinding RVs with an SFN and subframe numbers. In the embodiment, an RVsequence of an SI-x message during retransmission is set asS_(RV)={S_(RV)(0), S_(RV)(1), S_(RV)(2), S_(RV)(3)}, whereS_(RV)={S_(RV)(0), S_(RV)(1), S_(RV)(2), S_(RV)(3)}={0,2,3,1}.

Those skilled in the art understand that an RV sequence of an SI-xmessage during retransmission may take other sequences.

Specifically, as shown in FIG. 3, with respect to 5 continuous subframesbeginning with a subframe numbered 0 or 5, the binding method includesthe following steps:

Step s301: For subframes numbered {0, 1, 2, 3, 4}, 4 subframes arechosen from said 5 subframes and the 4 subframes are in a time sequence.An RV sequence of the 4 subframes is set as S_(RV)(0), S_(RV)(1),S_(RV)(2), S_(RV)(3), and the RV of the remaining subframe in the 5subframes is set as a value in S_(RV)={S_(RV)(0), S_(RV)(1), S_(RV)(2),S_(RV)(3)}.

Step s302: For subframes numbered {5, 6, 7, 8, 9}, the processingdepends on specific scenarios.

In a scenario of system frames with even SFNs (SFN=0, 2, 4 . . . ), forsubframes numbered {6, 7, 8, 9}, an RV sequence of the subframes is setas S_(RV)(0), S_(RV)(1), S_(RV)(2), S_(RV)(3).

Preferably, RVs of subframes numbered 5 may be set as S_(RV)=(└(n_(f)mod 8)/2┘), wherein n_(f) stands for the SFN.

This will assure that a RV sequence of SIB1 is S_(RV)(0), S_(RV)(1),S_(RV)(2), S_(RV)(3).

In a scenario of system frames with odd SFNs (SFN=1, 3, 5 . . . ), 4subframes that are in a time sequence are chosen from subframes numbered{5, 6, 7, 8, 9}. An RV sequence of the 4 subframes is set as S_(RV)(0),S_(RV)(1), S_(RV)(2), S_(RV)(3), and RVs of remaining ones in subframesnumbered {5, 6, 7, 8, 9} are set as any value in S_(RV)={S_(RV)(0),S_(RV)(1), S_(RV)(2), S_(RV)(3)}.

With the method provided according to the above embodiment, RVs arebound with the SFN and subframe numbers. When a transmission window ofan SI-x message is longer than or equal to 5 ms, 4 time-sequencedsubframes whose RVs are arranged in a certain order can be found in anytransmission window so that the performance of retransmission for SI-xmessage is assured.

Those skilled in the art can understand that it is unnecessary to use 5continuous subframes beginning with a subframe numbered N as a group forbinding RVs with an SFN and subframe numbers, wherein N is 0 or 5. Thesubframe number N may be an integer between 0 and 9. Or, in certainscenarios, RVs of an SI-x message may be bound by subframes one by one.

When N is not 0 and 5>N−1, a value in S_(RV)={S_(RV)(0), S_(RV)(1),S_(RV)(2), S_(RV)(3)} may be set randomly as the RV of subframesnumbered 0 to N−1 of system frame numbered 0.

When N is not 0 and 5≦N−1, the RV of a subframe numbered 5 is SRV(0) anda value in S_(RV)={S_(RV)(0), S_(RV)(1), S_(RV)(2), S_(RV)(3)} is setrandomly as the RV of subframes numbered 0 to 4 and 6 to N−1.

The RV binding of system frames is continuous and not repeated. From thebeginning subframe numbered N of system frame numbered 0, every 5subframes are bound continuously without repetition.

The present invention will be further explained with an exemplaryembodiment where a transmission window of an SI-x message is 5 ms.

Still in another embodiment of the present invention a method forbinding RVs and an SFN and subframe numbers is provided. As shown inFIG. 4, with respect to 5 continuous subframes beginning with subframenumbered 0 or 5, the binding method includes following steps:

Step s401: For subframes numbered {0, 1, 2, 3, 4}, subframes numbered 0,1, 2 and 3 are chosen. An RV sequence of subframes numbered 0, 1, 2 and3 is set as S_(RV)(0), S_(RV)(1), S_(RV)(2), S_(RV)(3), and an RV of asubframe numbered 4 is set as S_(RV)=((└3+2*n_(f)+(n_(f) mod 8)/2┘) mod4), wherein n_(f) stands for the SFN.

Thus, among 5 continuous subframes beginning with a subframe numbered 0,4 time-sequenced subframes can be found with a RV sequence as S_(RV)(0),S_(RV)(1), S_(RV)(2), S_(RV)(3). An enhanced NodeB (eNB) may schedulethese subframes to retransmit SI-x messages. Because of the differencein RVs, the performance of retransmission is improved.

Step s402: For subframes numbered {5, 6, 7, 8, 9}, the processingdepends on specific scenarios:

In a scenario of system frames with even SFNs (SFN=0, 2, 4 . . . ), forsubframes numbered {6,7,8,9}, an RV sequence of subframes numbered{6,7,8,9} as S_(RV)(0), S_(RV)(1), S_(RV)(2), S_(RV)(3).

Thus, among 5 continuous subframes of a system frame with even SFNbeginning with a subframe numbered 5, 4 time-sequenced subframes can befound with an RV sequence as S_(RV)(0), S_(RV)(1), S_(RV)(2), S_(RV)(3).An eNB may schedule these subframes to retransmit SI-x messages. Becauseof the difference in RVs, the performance of retransmission is improved.

Further, RVs of subframes numbered 5 may be set as S_(RV)=(└(n_(f) mod8)/2┘), wherein n_(f) stands for the SFN.

Thus, within an 80-ms cycle, an RV sequence of subframes numbered 5 ofsystem frames with even SFNs in 8 system frames is S_(RV)(0), S_(RV)(1),S_(RV)(2), S_(RV)(3). This guarantees available resources for schedulingin an eNB for SIB1 transmission.

In a scenario of system frames with odd SFNs (SFN=1, 3, 5 . . . ),subframes numbered 6, 7, 8 and 9 are chosen from subframes numbered{5,6,7,8,9}, an RV sequence of the subframes numbered 6, 7, 8 and 9 isset as S_(RV)(0), S_(RV)(1), S_(RV)(2), S_(RV)(3) and RVs of remainingsubframes numbered 5 are set as S_(RV)((2*n_(f)+└(n_(f) mod 8)/2┘)mod4), wherein n_(f) stands for the SFN.

Thus, among 5 continuous subframes of system frames with odd SFNsbeginning with a subframe numbered 5, 4 time-sequenced subframes can befound with an RV sequence as S_(RV)(0), S_(RV)(1), S_(RV)(2), S_(RV)(3).An eNB may schedule these subframes to retransmit SI-x messages. Becauseof the difference in RVs, the performance of retransmission is improved.

After the above steps, RV values of subframes in each system frame areobtained as shown in FIG. 5.

According to the method for binding RVs with an SFN and subframe numbersin the embodiment of the present invention, with respect to any 5continuous subframes beginning with a subframe numbered 0 or 5, amongsubframes that are not used by SIB1, 4 time-sequenced subframes can befound with an RV sequence as S_(RV)(0), S_(RV)(1), S_(RV)(2), S_(RV)(3).This facilitates the resource scheduling of an eNB when a transmissionwindow of an SI-x message is 5 ms and therefore improves the performanceof retransmission of SI-x messages.

Further, in every 2 continuous system frames beginning with a systemframe numbered 0, every 5 continuous subframes are put into one group toget 4 subframe groups. In a subframe group, 4 time-sequenced subframescan be found; these subframes are not used for transmitting SIB1messages and an RV sequence of these subframes is S_(RV)(0), S_(RV)(1),S_(RV)(2), S_(RV)(3).

Because of the even distribution in time and 4 groups available forscheduling, the scheduling flexibility of an eNB is enhanced and goodtime diversity can be obtained. This will facilitate the resourcescheduling of the eNB when a transmission window of an SI-x message islonger than 5 ms and improve the performance of the retransmission ofSI-x messages.

Further, within an 80-ms cycle, an RV sequence of a subframe numbered 5of system frames with even SFNs in 8 system frames is S_(RV)(0),S_(RV)(1), S_(RV)(2), S_(RV)(3). This guarantees available resources forscheduling in an eNB for SIB1 transmission.

In an embodiment of the present invention an apparatus for binding RVswith an SFN and subframe numbers is provided. As shown in FIG. 6, theapparatus includes a subframe choosing unit 61 and a binding unit 62.

The subframe choosing unit 61 is configured to choose any 5 continuoussubframes within a transmission window of an SI-x message according tosubframe numbers of an SFN. The binding unit 62 is configured to bindthe RVs of the SI-x message with the SFN and subframe numbers of the any5 continuous subframes.

With the apparatus provided according to the embodiment of the presentinvention, RVs are bound with an SFN and subframe numbers. When atransmission window of an SI-x message is longer than or equal to 5 ms,the performance of retransmission of the SI-x message is assured.

Further, as shown in FIG. 7, the binding unit 62 may include: a firstsetting subunit 621, a second setting subunit 622 and a third settingsubunit 623.

The first setting subunit 621 is configured to set an RV sequence of 4time-sequenced subframes in the 5 continuous subframes as S_(RV)(0),S_(RV)(1), S_(RV)(2), S_(RV)(3) and to set an RV of a remaining subframein the 5 continuous subframes as any value in S_(RV)(0), S_(RV)(1),S_(RV)(2), S_(RV)(3), wherein none of subframe numbers of the 5continuous subframes beginning with a subframe numbered N is 5, and N isan integer from 0 to 9.

The second setting subunit 622 is configured to set an RV sequence of 4subframes in the 5 continuous subframes other than a subframe numbered 5as S_(RV)(0), S_(RV)(1), S_(RV)(2), S_(RV)(3), and to set an RV of thesubframe numbered 5 as S_(RV)=(└(n_(f) mod 8)/2┘), where n_(f) standsfor the SFN and S_(RV)={S_(RV)(0), S_(RV)(1), S_(RV)(2), S_(RV)(3)},wherein one subframe number of the 5 continuous subframes beginning witha subframe numbered N is 5 and the SFN is even.

The third setting subunit 623 is configured to set an RV sequence of 4time-sequenced subframes in the 5 continuous subframes as S_(RV)(0),S_(RV)(1), S_(RV)(2), S_(RV)(3), and to set an RV of a remainingsubframe in the 5 continuous subframes as any value in S_(RV)(0),S_(RV)(1), S_(RV)(2), S_(RV)(3), wherein one subframe number of the 5continuous subframes beginning with subframe numbered N is 5 and the SFNis odd.

The specific binding procedure is described in the method embodimentsand is omitted here.

With the apparatus provided according to the embodiment of the presentinvention, with respect to any 5 continuous subframes beginning with asubframe numbered 0 or 5, among subframes that are not used by SIB1, 4time-sequenced subframes can be found with an RV sequence as S_(RV)(0),S_(RV)(1), S_(RV)(2), S_(RV)(3). This facilitates the resourcescheduling of an eNB when the transmission window of SI-x is 5 ms andtherefore improves the performance of retransmission of SI-x messages.

Based on the descriptions of the foregoing embodiments, those skilled inart can be clear that, the embodiments of the present invention can beimplemented by hardware or implemented by software on a necessarygeneral hardware platform. Based on such understanding, the technicalsolution of the present invention may be embodied in software. Thesoftware may be stored in a nonvolatile storage medium, such as aCD-ROM, a USB disk, and a mobile disk. The software includes a number ofinstructions that enable a computer device (which may be a personalcomputer, a server or a network device) to execute the method accordingto the embodiments of the present invention.

Although the invention has been described through exemplary embodiments,the invention is not limited to such embodiments. It is apparent thatthose skilled in the art can make various modifications and variationsto the invention without departing from the spirit and scope of thepresent invention. The invention is intended to cover the modificationsand variations provided that they fall in the scope of protectiondefined by the claims or their equivalents.

1. A method for binding redundancy versions (RVs) with a system framenumber (SFN) and subframe numbers, comprising: choosing five continuoussubframes within a transmission window of a system information (SI-x)message according to subframe numbers of an SFN; and binding RVs of theSI-x message with the SFN and subframe numbers of the five continuoussubframes.
 2. The method according to claim 1, wherein the binding RVsof the SI-x message with the SFN and subframe numbers of the fivecontinuous subframes comprises: setting an RV sequence of fourtime-sequenced subframes in the five continuous subframes as S_(RV)(0),S_(RV)(1), S_(RV)(2), S_(RV)(3); and setting an RV of a remainingsubframe in the five continuous subframes as any one of S_(RV)(0),S_(RV)(1), S_(RV)(2) and S_(RV)(3); wherein none of subframe numbers ofthe five continuous subframes beginning with N is 5 and N is an integerfrom 0 to
 9. 3. The method according to claim 1, wherein the binding RVsof the SI-x message with the SFN and subframe numbers of the fivecontinuous subframes comprises: setting an RV sequence of four subframesother than the subframe numbered 5 in the five continuous subframes asS_(RV)(0), S_(RV)(1), S_(RV)(2), S_(RV)(3); and setting an RV of thesubframe numbered 5 as S_(RV)=(└(n_(f) mod 8)/2┘), wherein n_(f) standsfor the SFN and S_(RV)={S_(RV)(0), S_(RV)(1), S_(RV)(2), S_(RV)(3)};wherein one of subframe numbers of the five continuous subframesbeginning with N is 5, and the SFN is even.
 4. The method according toclaim 1, wherein the binding RVs of the SI-x message with the SFN andsubframe numbers of the five continuous subframes comprises: setting anRV sequence of four time-sequenced subframes in the five continuoussubframes as S_(RV)(0), S_(RV)(1), S_(RV)(2), S_(RV)(3); and setting anRV of a remaining subframe in the five continuous subframes as any oneof S_(RV)(0), S_(RV)(1), S_(RV)(2) and S_(RV)(3); wherein one ofsubframe numbers of the five continuous subframes beginning with N is 5,and the SFN is odd.
 5. The method according to claim 1, wherein thelength of the transmission window of the SI-x message is 5 ms, 10 ms, 20ms or 40 ms.
 6. An apparatus for binding redundancy versions (RVs) witha system subframe number (SFN) and subframe numbers, comprising: asubframe choosing unit, configured to choose five continuous subframeswithin a transmission window of a system frame according to subframenumbers of an SFN; and a binding unit, configured to bind RVs of thesystem information (SI-x) message with the SFN and subframe numbers ofthe five continuous subframes.
 7. The apparatus according to claim 6,wherein the binding unit comprises: a first setting subunit, configuredto set an RV sequence of four time-sequenced subframes in the fivecontinuous subframes as S_(RV)(0), S_(RV)(1), S_(RV)(2), S_(RV)(3), andto set an RV of a remaining subframe in the five continuous subframes asany one of S_(RV)(0), S_(RV)(1), S_(RV)(2) and S_(RV)(3), wherein noneof subframe numbers of the five continuous subframes beginning with N is5 and N is an integer from 0 to
 9. 8. The apparatus according to claim6, wherein the binding unit further comprises: a second setting subunit,configured to set an RV sequence of four subframes other than thesubframe numbered 5 in the five continuous subframes as S_(RV)(0),S_(RV)(1), S_(RV)(2) and S_(RV)(3), and to set an RV of the subframenumbered 5 as S_(RV)=(└(n_(f) mod 8)/2┘), wherein n_(f) stands for theSFN and S_(RV)={S_(RV)(0), S_(RV)(1), S_(RV)(2), S_(RV)(3)}, wherein asubframe in the five continuous subframes beginning with N is numbered 5and the SFN is even.
 9. The apparatus according to claim 6, wherein thebinding unit further comprises: a third setting subunit, configured toset an RV sequence of four time-sequenced subframes as S_(RV)(0),S_(RV)(1), S_(RV)(2) S_(RV)(3), and to set an RV of a remaining subframein the five continuous subframes as any one of S_(RV)(0), S_(RV)(1),S_(RV)(2) and S_(RV)(3), wherein a subframe in the five continuoussubframes beginning with N is numbered 5 and the SFN is odd.
 10. Amethod for binding redundancy versions (RVs) with a system frame number(SFN) and subframe numbers, comprising: choosing five continuoussubframes, beginning with a subframe numbered N, within a transmissionwindow of a system information (SI-x) message, wherein when the SFN forthe subframe numbered N is odd, N is an integer from 0 to 9; or when theSFN for the subframe numbered N is even, N is any one of 0, 6, 7, 8 and9; setting an RV sequence of four time-sequenced subframes in the fivecontinuous subframes as S_(RV)(0), S_(RV)(1), S_(RV)(2), S_(RV)(3); andsetting an RV of a remaining subframe in the five continuous subframesas any one of S_(RV)(0), S_(RV)(1), S_(RV)(2) and S_(RV)(3).
 11. Themethod according to claim 10, wherein the four time-sequenced subframesbegins with the subframe numbered N, and S_(RV)(0) equals to 0,S_(RV)(1) equals to 2, S_(RV)(2) equals to 3, S_(RV)(3) equals to
 1. 12.The method according to claim 10, wherein the length of the transmissionwindow is any one of 5 ms, 10 ms, 20 ms and 40 ms.
 13. The methodaccording to claim 10, wherein the method further comprises: choosingfive continuous subframes, beginning with a subframe numbered N, withina transmission window of an SI-x message, wherein the SFN for thesubframe numbered N is even and N is an integer from 1 to 5; setting anRV sequence of four subframes other than the subframe numbered 5 in thefive continuous subframes as S_(RV)(0), S_(RV)(1), S_(RV)(2), S_(RV)(3);and setting an RV of the subframe numbered 5 as S_(RV)=(└(n_(f) mod8)/2┘), wherein n_(f) stands for the SFN and S_(RV)={S_(RV)(0),S_(RV)(1), S_(RV)(2), S_(RV)(3)}.